Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries

Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway through breathtaking photography. Over 200 photographers have contributed images of this 469-mile scenic byway that winds through the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia.

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A Blue Ridge Photography Collection

Blue Ridge Mountain scenery is among the loveliest in the world, and its drama, color, and variety draw enormous attention and passion from photographers. Along the Parkway, east- and west-facing overlooks bring photographers every morning and evening to dramatic sunrises and sunsets. Hikers can walk short distances and be immersed in mountain woods that teem with scenes of life and growth. The vivid natural colors and textures of the area can be found in countless combinations that allow photographers to shoot the same areas again and again, year after year.

Here at Blue Ridge Parkway Daily, we add a new photo every day to our curated photography collection. Whether you're an amateur or a pro, submit your photos today and help us share the very best of the Blue Ridge.

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Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles through the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, connecting Shenandoah National Park on its northern end and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on its southern end. It is exceptionally beautiful, famous for long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands.

Sunrises & Sunsets

The rolling horizon line and distant blue haze give the sun's rays a unique quality in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and sunrises and sunsets are famously spectacular. Early morning fog pools in valleys, colors are vibrant and fast-changing, and the dramatic ridgelines rise up over the surrounding landscape. High elevations offer photographers incredible vantage points to watch the sun over long ranges.

Fall Color

The brilliant fall color change draws a massive audience to the Blue Ridge Parkway every year. Dogwood, sourwood, and blackgum trees turn deep red in late September. Tulip trees and hickories turn bright yellow, sassafras a vivid orange, and red maples a multitude of colors. At the end of the season, oaks add russet and maroon. Throughout the season and never changing are the evergreen trees: Virginia pine, white pine, hemlock, spruce, and fir.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway range from tall, thunderous drops to small rivulets that only exist after a heavy rain. The waterfalls support lush flora in warmer seasons, and in winter, many falls will freeze into spectacular icicles. Because of the heavy Appalachian rainfall, waterfalls are abundant, dotted along roadsides and throughout the backcountry.

Night Photography

The rules of photography change at night, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is an excellent place for adventurous late-night photographers. The Parkway is largely set apart from major cities, and high-elevation peaks can take photographers far above the ambient light from small mountain towns. On clear nights, the number of visible stars is staggering. Oftentimes the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye.